College Facility Notes: New Synthetic Turf At Maryland To Exceed $3M

Univ. of Maryland Deputy AD for External Operations Nate Pine said that the total cost of the school's new synthetic turf football field featuring heat-reducing Cool Play technology “is just more than" $3M. He added that is "nearly three times as much as standard synthetic playing fields.” In DC, Liz Clarke noted the cost is "being funded by private donations." Of the $3M cost, roughly $1M “covers the installation of a stormwater management facility that complies with state regulations” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/26). Meanwhile, UCLA AD Dan Guerrero confirmed that new synthetic and natural grass field surfaces "will be installed in August at the football team's practice facility at Spaulding Field.” In L.A., Austin Knoblauch reported the $1.2M project “is expected to be completed before the Bruins return to Westwood for practices after opening camp in San Bernardino” (LATIMES.com, 6/26).

GIVE ME LIBERTY: In Memphis, Kyle Veazey noted there “has been some question about whether the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium video board project would be completed in time" for the University of Memphis football team's Sept. 1 opener. It is a “construction project and not just the installation of a new TV, after all, and it seemed as if the quick turnaround from the City Council's early April approval of the deal” to the first game on Sept. 1 “was, well, ambitious.” But UM reaffirmed that “not only would the project be complete by Sept. 1, but it's on schedule to be complete by mid-August.” That is “important, considering that the new production setup will require some getting used to” (COMMERCIALAPPEAL.com, 6/28).

CELL OUT: In Milwaukee, Don Walker notes the Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is "leaving the U.S. Cellular Arena and moving its men's basketball program back to the Klotsche Center." UWM AD Andy Geiger Tuesday said that the team is "headed back to campus because students ought to have better access to home basketball games." While Horizon League rules require its members to play in arenas that can seat at least 5,000, Geiger said that the school "sought and was granted a waiver by the conference" to move to the 3,400-seat Klotsche Center (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/27).